Compare the2022 BMW M5VS 2021 Mercedes AMG C-Class Sedan

The M5 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M5 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the M5. But it costs extra on the AMG C-Class Sedan.

The M5’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG C-Class Sedan.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the M5 has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the AMG C-Class Sedan.

Both the M5 and the AMG C-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The M5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG C-Class Sedan’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M5 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the AMG C-Class Sedan.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 30th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 8 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The M5 has more powerful engines than the AMG C-Class Sedan:

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M5 (base engine) is faster than the AMG C 43 Sedan 3.0 turbo V6:

Regenerative brakes improve the M5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Both the M5 and the AMG C-Class Sedan have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All M5s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The M5 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG C-Class Sedan (20.1 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the M5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG C-Class Sedan:

The M5 stops much shorter than the AMG C-Class Sedan:

For better traction, the M5 has larger tires than the AMG C-Class Sedan (F:275/40R19 & R:285/40R19 vs. F:225/45R18 & R:245/40R18). The M5’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG C-Class Sedan (F:275/40R19 & R:285/40R19 vs. F:245/40R18 & R:265/40R18).

The M5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG C 43 Sedan’s standard 45 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M5 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the AMG C 63 Sedan. The M5’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the AMG C 63 Sedan.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M5’s wheelbase is 5.6 inches longer than on the AMG C-Class Sedan (117.4 inches vs. 111.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the M5 is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the AMG C-Class Sedan.

The M5 handles at .98 G’s, while the AMG C 43 Sedan pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the AMG C 63 S Sedan (23.3 seconds @ .91 average G’s vs. 24.1 seconds @ .86 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M5 is quieter than the AMG C 63 S Sedan:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the M5 a Mid-size car, while the AMG C-Class Sedan is rated a Compact.

The M5 has 13 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG C-Class Sedan (103 vs. 90).

The M5 has 3.6 inches more front headroom, 3.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG C-Class Sedan.

The M5 has a much larger trunk than the AMG C Sedan (14 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the M5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the M5 and the AMG C-Class Sedan have standard heated front seats. The M5 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the AMG C-Class Sedan.

On extremely cold winter days, the M5’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The AMG C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The M5 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the AMG C-Class Sedan.